Zika virus found in saliva, urine samples of patients in Brazil

The main method of infection is via mosquito bites, but scientists are investigating all other possibilities. It recommended that pregnant women and their male partners should discuss any potential exposure by the male to Zika, or a history of Zika-like illness, with their doctor. He said men who may have been infected with Zika virus should either use condoms or abstain from sex for the length of the pregnancy. The patient recently traveled to a South American country where Zika virus transmission has been documented.

Public health officials in Dallas earlier this week reported the second known U.S. case of sexually transmitted Zika. In rarer cases, pregnant women can pass it to their unborn babies.

“It may be that it’s present in saliva”.

Health officials tell us that they aren’t sure how this virus was transmitted through sexual contact, but they are working on how to find a solution. The CDC still is reviewing data on whether the virus can be transmitted through saliva and urine and is not making a recommendation related to those fluids at this time, according to Dr. Frieden.

While most people have mild symptoms at worst, health officials say the virus is suspected of having a link to an alarming spike in babies born with abnormally small heads – a condition called microcephaly – in Brazil and French Polynesia.

“CDC has issued new interim guidance on preventing sexual transmission of Zika virus after confirming through laboratory testing… the first case of Zika virus infection in a non-traveler in the continental United States during this outbreak”, the CDC said.

Chief Medical Officer Professor Dame Sally Davies said: “We are determined to support worldwide efforts to understand how to diagnose the disease and control its spread”.

Sexual transmission of Zika is possible, and because the mosquito-borne disease has been potentially linked to birth defects, it’s of particular concern during pregnancy.

No cases of Zika virus have been reported in Pennsylvania. “Symptoms typically begin two to seven days after being bitten by an infected mosquito”.

The agency on Friday also widened its guidelines for pregnant women, saying that even those who do not have Zika symptoms should get tested after returning from countries affected by the outbreak.